Comedy: Kevin Shea

Adopted from Korea, Kevin Shea felt compelled to develop a sense of humor as a kid, especially growing up in Bethlehem, Pa. “I wasn’t like I was going to be hung by a noose or anything,” he insists, “but…it’s very different being the only Asian kid in an all white elementary school.” He wasn’t exactly the class cutup, though. “Most people that know me from high school are surprised that I’m actually a comedian.” He decided to try stand up after being laid off, thankfully, from an Internet job in California.

“I hated work, I hated the office and I always liked stand-up,” he recalls. His first attempt was at a bar in Palo Alto, Calif. in front of three people and the bartender. “I ate it so bad,” he laughs. “I thought ‘There’s no way it can go worse than this.’” Fortunately he soldiered on, and has made many TV appearances since, including Jimmy Kimmel Live and Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. Shea performs at Go Bananas Thursday-Sunday. Tickets are $8-$12.